Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Patient Education Information Sheet North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS)

D Posttraumatic Stress Disorder S

T Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that some people develop after

P living through a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include combat, severe accidents, physical assault, or sexual assault. With PTSD, a person feels distress long after the event is over. PTSD can change your daily life for months or years after the event.

You may have problems like: • bad dreams • trouble sleeping • upsetting memories • flashbacks • fear of things that remind you of the event • numbness • anger • feeling on guard all the time

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT): The PCT is an outpatient clinic that treats veterans with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers.

Treatment Services Offered in the PCT:

• Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management • Group Therapy • Individual Therapy • Computer-Assisted Biofeedback/Relaxation Training

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy ("talk" therapy) is used to treat PTSD. It is also used to treat symptoms that can occur with PTSD, such as depression, alcohol/substance abuse, and relationship problems. Psychotherapy may be provided in a group or one-on-one.

Psychotherapy for PTSD can include: • Education – To help you learn more about PTSD and how to identify and cope with PTSD symptoms. • Skills building – To help you practice healthy coping skills. • Exposure therapy – To talk about your memory of the trauma and identify thoughts and feelings related to the trauma. This may help you take part in more activities and keep you from avoiding reminders of the trauma. • Cognitive restructuring – To help you identify and change beliefs that may get in the way of recovery from trauma. The PCT offers Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Many Veterans with PTSD also have problems with alcohol and other drugs. This may include the use of illegal drugs or the overuse of prescription medications. Alcohol and drugs are often used to cope with stress, to relax, or to manage upsetting symptoms of PTSD. Using alcohol and drugs in this way can cause problems in your daily life. It can have a negative effect on your relationships, work, school, well-being, health, legal status, and finances. Sometimes alcohol and drug use may even increase the problems related to PTSD and may get in the way of your treatment.

If you think you have an alcohol or drug problem, the PCT has treatment options for you. Treatment may include individual or group therapy for both PTSD symptoms and alcohol/substance abuse. Depending on your needs, you may also get treatment from the Substance Abuse Treatment Team. You do not have to have stopped using alcohol or drugs in order to take part in the PCT program. However, you may need to reduce your use before beginning treatment.

Compensation and Pension: The PCT is NOT a part of the compensation and pension process. Your appointment with the PCT is only to screen and assess the symptoms you are now having. It will help us decide on the best treatment for you at this time. If you need more information about compensation and pension benefits, please call the VA Benefits hotline number at 1-800-827-1000 or contact your local Veterans Service Officer.

Admission to the PCT: The PCT is a specialty clinic. One of your healthcare providers must refer you to be considered for admission. Your primary care doctor, mental health provider, or social worker can refer you to the PCT. If you have been diagnosed with PTSD, have had a positive PTSD screen, or have reported PTSD symptoms to your healthcare provider, you may be referred to the PCT.

The PCT is a treatment clinic. This means that you must take part in psychotherapy to help with managing your PTSD symptoms. If you are only interested in medication management and do not want to take part in either group or individual therapy, you can get treatment either through Primary Care or the Mental Health Clinic. Once you are referred to the PCT, we will contact you to discuss the referral or to schedule an intake screening appointment.

What to expect during an intake screening: 1. Before your appointment, we will mail a packet of information about the intake screening to you. This packet will include a pre-admission evaluation form. Please complete the form and bring it with you to your appointment.

2. Please bring a copy of your DD Form 214

3. You will be asked to complete a urine drug screen the day of your intake. 4. You will fill out some short questionnaires about your current problems.

5. You will meet with the PCT staff for a clinical interview. We will ask you about your traumatic experience(s) and how they have affected you.

Contact:

Lake City VA Medical Center 619 South Marion Avenue Lake City, Florida 32035 (386) 755-3016, extension 2364; Toll-free (800) 308-8387

The Lake City PCT is on the first floor of the Lake City VA Medical Center. The check-in desk and waiting room are located in Room 119 in Building 38. The clinic is on the northwest side of the Medical Center, close to the Police Service.

Gainesville VA Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, Florida 32608 (352) 376-1611, extension 6127; Toll-free (800) 324-8387

The Gainesville PCT is on the second floor of the Gainesville VA Medical Center. The check-in desk is in Room E266, and the waiting room is in the Mental Health Clinic in Room E208.

Visit your NF/SGVHS Internet site at: http://www.northflorida.va.gov JUNE 2013